Congressman Gonzalez Issues Statement on the Unnecessary Deportation of U.S. Army Veteran Miguel Perez

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued the following statement in response to the deportation of U.S. Army veteran, Miguel Perez. Perez, a two-tour Afghanistan combat veteran, was deported to Mexico by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday, March 26, 2018.

"Miguel fought valiantly for our country," Congressman Gonzalez said. "We must do everything in our power to protect the men and women who dedicated themselves to defending this country once their service has ended. The decision to deport a wartime veteran sheds light on a devastating problem that must be addressed at once. Miguel, mark my words, I am going to do everything I can to bring you, and those like you, home."

In 2017, Congressman Gonzalez introduced H.R. 3429, the Repatriate Our Patriots Act, which seeks to bring back deported veterans who held a clean record prior to enlistment. Since then, the congressman has sent letters to every state governor, President Donald J. Trump, and officials at the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security urging them to support veterans in danger of deportation. In February, the congressman convened a roundtable with Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41) and multiple Veterans Service Organizations to raise awareness about the deportation of veterans.

Congressman Gonzalez is working to sustain the momentum and advance a solution to this grave and disgraceful problem. The congressman also seeks to engage the public and help clarify that veterans are often faced with mental health issues, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), that may inhibit clear decision making, leading to potential criminal chargers.

Last month, the congressman sent a letter to Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) on behalf of Perez, urging the senator to support Senator Tammy Duckworth's (D-IL) private bill, S. 2411, A bill for the relief of Miguel Angel Perez-Montes, Jr. The bill, which would allow Perez to adjust his status to that of lawful permanent resident, has been referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary where it awaits further action.

Perez now joins a group of deported veterans whose future remains unclear.